The Lobos volleyball team has been on a rocky ride this year, but on Wednesday, they won a key district play off game against Crescent, 3-1. Overall scores were 25-23 Lopez, 25-20 Crescent, 25-20 Lopez, 25-17 Lopez and this advanced the team to district playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7.

“Marne Cook went 100% on serving against Crescent, hitting 17/17,” Coach Mellonnie Altona said. “This was a freshman, in district play, under pressure. She was great.”

Then on Saturday in Coupeville, during district playoffs, the Lobos went up against Mt. Rainier Lutheran for a berth at state playoffs. Lobos won 3-1 against Mt. Rainier, winning 25-19, Lopez, 25-11, Lopez, 25-21 Mt. Rainier, 25-21 Lopez.

“This win against Mt. Rainier assured us a berth in the state playoffs, and at district we advanced to the championship round against North Sound Christian. We were firing on all cylinders during that game but the power went out for 10 minutes and that stopped our good momentum. That was difficult,” Altona said. “This team has not played in a championship round, and for us to play was just a great learning experience for them.”

“The gym was incredibly loud,” Vilina Sanborn-Bill said, Lobo team member. “We had all of our fans there plus all of the opposing teams we would have to play were screaming as well.”

Marne Cook and Erin Wilbur, freshmen for the Lobos, stood out in their consistency of play. Cook, Wilbur and Sarah Stanley dominated at the net, blocking strong volleys from Mt. Rainier Lutheran and diving for balls that looked unretrievable. Hanifah McGovern also was strong on the court with her setting and returns.

“The girls have pulled together really well and having been playing very aggressively,” Altona said.

The Lopez volleyball team plays in the state playoffs at the Yakima Sundome on Friday, Nov. 13 against La Crosse. Win or lose, they advance to play on Saturday as well, opponent and time TBA.